Originally Posted by
hueyracer
Then the German HEMS operators are liars! (when saying they cannot get qualified pilots)…
[Sarcasm ON]
Who in this business is not (as long as it suits)?
[Sarcasm OFF]
The FOCA in Switzerland applied for an exemption according to article 14 of the basic regulation which was granted by EASA.
The LBA in Germany did also apply for an exemption but it seems they did not do their homework as good as FOCA. The exemption was not granted. However, EASA asked the LBA for a correction of the application. EASA even advised the LBA to do a copy/paste of the swiss application which would then result in an approval of such an exemption giving many pilots the opportunity to continue their job.
The LBA - in Person Mr. Uwe Dehning, Head of Department L - decided not to do so.
We know the outcome.
If this business as a whole had a lobby, we would not even discuss this issue. For the time being, HEMS operators in germany bought some time. Imagine what happens if you had a (admittedly polemical) headline in the SUN like "Air rescue hangs in the balance" and HEMS operators in Europe decided to announce to cease operation just for a week (i know there are most likely implications due to breach of contract) to bring some attention to this subject. The annoucement alone would give politicians some food for thought.